Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 review - a Price worth paying

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 marks a crucial moment for the franchise, delivering a blend of familiar gameplay and innovative features that signal a potential new direction for the series. Developed by Infinity Ward, this installment reintroduces fans to a compelling campaign centered around the iconic Captain John Price, while also unveiling a significantly enhanced DMZ mode that has become the game's unexpected highlight.

The narrative picks up in the aftermath of previous events, with the antagonist Vladimir Makarov having succeeded in fracturing Task Force 141. Captain Price is driven by a personal vendetta following the loss of Soap MacTavish, navigating a murky conflict landscape where moral lines are blurred. Parallel to Price’s storyline, players experience the tense invasion of South Korea by North Korean forces through the eyes of Private Park Hyun-Jun. However, while Price’s arc offers fresh tension and depth, Park’s portion leans heavily on revisiting iconic moments from earlier entries, sometimes at the cost of pacing and originality.

A notable drawback within the campaign is the inclusion of open-world segments, particularly the extended mission 'Stranded,' which serves as a tutorial for the DMZ mode but disrupts the campaign’s momentum. Despite this, the intensity and cinematic quality of Price’s missions stand out, with sequences inspired by action films delivering memorable set pieces. The campaign’s conclusion, however, feels somewhat rushed, leaving a desire for a more impactful finale.

Multiplayer in Modern Warfare 4 upholds the series’ legacy with a robust selection of classic modes such as Team Deathmatch and Search and Destroy, complemented by fresh offerings like Kill Block. This innovative mode mixes maps and loadouts dynamically, infusing traditional gameplay with a new layer of unpredictability. The progression system also sees a significant overhaul, introducing flexible Prestige options that cater to both veterans who enjoy resetting their ranks and players who prefer retaining their gear. The inclusion of cosmetic rewards linked to Call of Duty’s history adds a nostalgic touch for long-time fans.

Gunplay has notably improved compared to recent entries, with refined mechanics that emphasize strategic combat over rapid movement. The handling of staple weapons like the Kastov 47 (a variant of the AK-47) reinforces a sense of power and precision, while the streamlined class customization maintains accessibility without sacrificing depth.

Yet, the most remarkable aspect of Modern Warfare 4 is the DMZ mode, which has undergone a comprehensive transformation. Originally introduced in 2022’s Modern Warfare 2 but criticized for feeling underdeveloped, this extraction shooter now stands out as a robust and engaging experience. Set on the expansive Hajin map, DMZ blends story-driven missions, dynamic objectives, and open-ended exploration. Players can tackle missions ranging from high-stakes vault raids to covert extractions, often creating emergent gameplay moments that feel both cinematic and unpredictable.

DMZ’s design fosters tension by obscuring the identity of enemies, blurring the line between AI combatants and other players. This ambiguity heightens the stakes, as encounters can quickly turn deadly. The mode also encourages spontaneous alliances, allowing for strategic truces amid the chaos. Progression in DMZ is tied to a persistent operator character whose skills and equipment carry meaningful weight; death in the field requires resource investment to recover, adding a layer of consequence uncommon in typical Call of Duty gameplay.

Adding to the appeal, the inclusion of a base of operations hub provides a tangible sense of progression and customization, reminiscent of earlier franchise elements but refreshed for this modern entry. This feature, alongside the operator skill system, deepens player engagement beyond the usual match-to-match rhythm.

Modern Warfare 4 also marks a significant milestone by launching on the Nintendo Switch 2, the first Call of Duty title on a Nintendo platform in over ten years. Although the campaign and DMZ modes run at 30 frames per second on this hardware, multiplayer maintains a smoother 60 fps experience. The Switch 2 delivers stable performance and impressive visuals, showcasing the game’s adaptability and hinting at the franchise’s expanding reach.

Overall, Modern Warfare 4 demonstrates Infinity Ward’s ability to honor the franchise’s roots while innovating in meaningful ways. While the campaign revisits familiar territory with mixed success, Captain Price’s storyline shines with emotional depth and cinematic flair. Multiplayer offers both comfort and novelty, but it is DMZ that elevates the game, transforming it into a multifaceted shooter with lasting appeal. As Call of Duty stands at a crossroads, Modern Warfare 4’s blend of tradition and experimentation suggests a promising path forward.